PMQs: Liz Truss claims she is 'a fighter, not a quitter' as Tory MPs treat fracking vote as 'confidence motion'

Liz Truss declared she was someone who was “a fighter, not a quitter” as she claimed at Prime Minister’s Questions she had been “very clear” about the “mistakes” made around the mini-budget.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions as her own hold on the leadership remains particularly shaky, Ms Truss defended her position as she was accused of overseeing “absolute chaos”

Ms Truss’s claims that she had “been very clear” that she had been “sorry” and “made mistakes” around the mini-budget was greeted with jeers inside the chamber.

"I have been very clear, Mr Speaker, that I am sorry and that I have made mistakes,” Ms Truss said.

Liz Truss speaks at Prime Minister's Questions. Picture: BBC Parliament

"But the right thing to do in those circumstances is to make changes, which I’ve made, and to get on with the job and deliver for the British people. And, Mr Speaker, we’ve delivered the energy price guarantee, we’ve helped people this winter and I will continue to do that.”

But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer argued: "Last week, the Prime Minister ignored every question put to her. Instead she repeatedly criticised Labour’s plan for a six-month freeze on energy bills. This week the Chancellor made it her policy. How can she be held to account when she’s not in charge?”

Ms Truss responded: “I had to make the decision because of the economic situation to adjust our policies. I am somebody who is prepared to front up, I’m prepared to take the tough decisions, unlike the honourable gentleman, who hasn’t done anything on businesses, he’s done nothing to save or protect people after one year. He’s got no plan.”

Sir Keir later added: “She’s asking me questions because we’re a Government in waiting and they’re an Opposition in waiting.”

Prime Minister Liz Truss leaves from 10 Downing Street to take part in Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) in the House of Commons. Picture: Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images

It comes as Tory MPs were told a Labour vote in the Commons seeking to ban fracking is being treated as a “confidence motion” in Ms Truss’s embattled Government.

Conservative deputy chief whip Craig Whittaker warned his MPs that Wednesday afternoon’s vote is a “100% hard” three-line whip.

The dozens of Conservatives who oppose fracking face being kicked out of the parliamentary party if they do not back the Government’s controversial end to the moratorium in England.